An installation in Saint-Rémi where the wall-mounted unit’s positioning made all the difference
For this installation completed in Saint-Rémi, our AirGreen team had to integrate a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump into a space where the arrangement of the walls, doors, and ceiling required a particularly careful approach. The project photo immediately shows the intended result: the indoor unit is installed high on the wall, directly above a doorway, while the piping exits the unit on the right before being concealed in a white line-hide cover that follows the room’s architecture neatly.
This type of installation may seem simple once completed. However, the quality of an HVAC installation is often judged precisely by these details: the unit’s location, clearance around the unit, refrigerant line routing, drain management, finish of the line-hide covers, and airflow direction.
In Saint-Rémi, we sought to preserve as much usable wall space as possible while positioning the Fujitsu heat pump to promote effective air distribution. Rather than occupying a large central wall, the indoor unit was positioned above the door, an area that otherwise would have gone unused.
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700: a compact wall-mounted heat pump designed for residential installations
The Fujitsu Altair 700 belongs to the AIRSTAGE H single-zone series. The technical documentation provided for this range covers the 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 configurations, corresponding respectively to nominal cooling capacities of 9,000 BTU/h and 12,000 BTU/h. The listed nominal heating capacities are 12,000 BTU/h for the 09KMAS1 and 14,000 BTU/h for the 12KMAS1.
It is important to clarify that the photograph of this installation alone does not make it possible to confirm whether the installed unit is the 9,000 or 12,000 BTU version. We therefore prefer not to artificially assign an exact capacity to this installation based solely on its exterior appearance.
However, both versions use the same compact architecture and share several features that are particularly appealing for a residential installation in Saint-Rémi, as well as in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore.
An indoor unit that is particularly easy to integrate into a limited space
The Fujitsu Altair 700 indoor unit listed in the technical data sheet measures:
- 834 mm wide, or 32 13/16 in.;
- 270 mm high, or 10 5/8 in.;
- 222 mm deep, or 8 3/4 in.;
- for a net weight of approximately 10 kg or 22 lb.
These dimensions partly explain why this series can be appealing when the available space above a door or between two architectural elements is limited.
In the photo of our Saint-Rémi installation, the unit is installed near the ceiling while maintaining the clearance required for operation. The piping outlet on the right side then makes it possible to connect to a vertical line-set cover without multiplying visible changes of direction.
The result is much cleaner than an improvised route of exposed lines.
A line-set cover that truly follows the room’s architecture
One of the most visible details of this installation is the piping finish.
From the right side of the Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pump, the line-set cover extends horizontally, makes a precise change of direction, then descends vertically along the wall. The various sections are adjusted to maintain visual continuity with the room’s white surfaces.
This is an important detail.
A wall-mounted installation must not only function properly. In a home, it becomes a permanent part of the décor. A poorly aligned cover, overly visible connections, or a vertical drop positioned without considering doors and mouldings can make a new installation look improvised.
At AirGreen, we therefore plan the piping route before simply choosing the shortest path.
Relatively compact refrigerant lines
The Fujitsu technical data sheet lists the following refrigerant piping dimensions for both Altair 700 configurations concerned:
- 1/4 in. for liquid;
- 3/8 in. for gas.
The recommended minimum length is 3 m, or 10 ft, while the maximum length can reach 20 m or 66 ft. The maximum indicated vertical difference is 14.9 m or 49 ft. The documentation also specifies a precharge allowing up to 14.9 m or 49 ft of piping.
For a homeowner, these figures may seem secondary. For an installer, they directly influence the possible placement of the outdoor unit and how the refrigerant piping route is designed.
A heat pump with good capacity on paper can become much more difficult to integrate if the pipe-length limits are incompatible with the home’s actual configuration.
R-32 refrigerant: the new generation used in the Altair 700
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 uses R-32 refrigerant.
According to Fujitsu documentation, R-32 has a significantly lower global warming potential than R-410A. The manufacturer indicates a GWP value of 675 for R-32 compared with 2088 for R-410A, which corresponds to an announced 68% reduction in GWP.
The use of R-32 is part of the important changes we are currently seeing in Quebec’s heating and cooling market. For homeowners, this mainly means that it is becoming increasingly important to work with a company experienced with new generations of equipment and the corresponding installation procedures.
What this Fujitsu Altair 700 installation concretely brings to home comfort
Cooling, heating, and Inverter modulation in a single wall-mounted unit
The Altair 700 is a wall-mounted heat pump, not simply an air conditioner.
It can therefore provide cooling during the summer and contribute to heating during the cold season. Fujitsu indicates an operating range in cooling mode from -10 °C to 50 °C, as well as an operating range in heating mode from -15 °C to 24 °C for the 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models.
Inverter technology allows the compressor to modulate its output instead of operating solely according to an on-off logic.
In practice, when a room approaches the requested temperature, the heat pump can gradually reduce its capacity and continue operating at a low output level. This modulation helps limit temperature fluctuations and maintain more consistent comfort.
Capacity that exceeds nominal output under certain conditions
The technical documentation clearly demonstrates the advantage of this modulation.
For the 09KMAS1 model:
- cooling: 3,100 to 12,100 BTU/h;
- heating: 2,800 to 14,500 BTU/h.
For the 12KMAS1 model:
- cooling: 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h;
- heating: 2,800 to 15,000 BTU/h.
Fujitsu also states that, under certain conditions, the outdoor unit can provide up to 33% more heat than the stated nominal capacity.
This does not mean that you should choose an undersized heat pump and rely on this maximum capacity. Sizing must always be based on the building, its insulation, the area actually being served, and the layout of the rooms.
A particularly quiet heat pump at low speed
One of the interesting features of the Altair 700 is its indoor noise level.
In quiet mode, Fujitsu specifies only 19 dB(A) in cooling and 21 dB(A) in heating. At high speed, the indoor unit reaches 40 dB(A) in cooling and 42 dB(A) in heating.
This is particularly relevant for an installation like the one photographed in Saint-Rémi, where the unit is directly integrated into the living space.
The indoor airflow can also be adjusted across four speeds plus an automatic mode, with airflow ranging from approximately 260 m³/h in quiet mode to 680 m³/h at high speed.
Integrated Wi-Fi for remotely controlling the heat pump
The Altair 700 series also features integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and control through the AIRSTAGE mobile app.
For many homeowners, this feature quickly becomes more useful than it may seem at the time of purchase.
This makes it possible to adjust the temperature without being in front of the unit and to integrate the heat pump more easily into the household’s daily routines.
Fujitsu also offers several optional controller and interface options, including wired controllers, 24 V thermostat interfaces, and gateways compatible with BACnet and Modbus.
Electrical power supply: a 208 to 230 V circuit
The 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models operate on a 208 to 230 V, 60 Hz, single-phase power supply, with a 15 A circuit breaker specified in the technical data sheet.
However, the circuit actually available on-site must always be verified before installation.
A common mistake is to select a heat pump solely according to its BTU capacity and then check the electrical supply afterward. In some older buildings, modifications to the electrical panel or circuit may become necessary.
We prefer to incorporate this verification into the installation planning process to avoid surprises on the day of the work.
Energy Star and Eligibility for Assistance Programs: Verify the Exact Model
The two configurations presented in the Fujitsu documentation carry ENERGY STAR ratings, including ratings associated with cold climates.
This remains an important consideration when a homeowner compares different wall-mounted heat pumps in Saint-Rémi or elsewhere in Quebec.
However, actual eligibility for a rebate should never be determined solely from the commercial name “Altair 700.” It generally depends on the exact combination of indoor and outdoor units, the applicable energy reference number, and the program criteria in effect at the time of installation.
We therefore always recommend verifying the eligibility of the specific system rather than assuming that an entire product line automatically receives the same amount.
An Installation Above a Door: A Good Idea Only When Properly Planned
The photo of this installation illustrates a solution we regularly use when it is technically appropriate: placing a wall-mounted heat pump above a door.
This approach offers several advantages:
- it makes use of wall space that would otherwise be wasted;
- it avoids reducing the space available for furniture;
- it can enable effective airflow toward an open area;
- it minimizes the unit’s visual impact;
- it can sometimes make it easier to route the refrigerant lines.
However, it should never be applied automatically.
We must always consider the available height, required clearances, future access for HVAC maintenance, airflow direction, wall structure, and drain routing.
A unit placed too close to the ceiling, or directly above an obstacle without considering airflow, can be much less effective than a slightly offset installation.
Mistakes We Aim to Avoid in a Wall-Mounted Installation
AirGreen’s experience with heat pump installations in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, the South Shore, and surrounding municipalities has shown us that several details make a significant difference in the long term.
Choosing the location solely based on ease of installation
The quickest route for the installer is not necessarily the best location for the customer.
We first consider air circulation, comfort, and how the room is used.
Neglecting the appearance of the refrigerant line routing
Line-hide covers are part of the final installation. On the Saint-Rémi project, they were arranged in a structured manner along the wall rather than left as a secondary element.
Oversizing the heat pump
A larger machine is not automatically a better machine.
Proper sizing allows Inverter technology to operate within a more favorable range and helps maintain a more consistent temperature.
Forgetting access for cleaning
Even a heat pump installed very high must remain accessible for filter cleaning and ductless heat pump maintenance.
The Altair 700 filters are washable, according to Fujitsu.
Why the visible finish on this Saint-Rémi installation matters as much as the technical specifications
When we complete an installation, we do not simply want to see a machine running.
We want the entire system to look as though it was designed for the home.
On this Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 installation in Saint-Rémi, the compact positioning above the door and the methodical routing of the line-hide cover demonstrate precisely this type of approach.
The heat pump retains all its heating and cooling functions while taking up a minimum amount of genuinely useful wall space.
For a homeowner comparing different air conditioning and heating solutions in Saint-Rémi, the technical figures remain essential: capacity, efficiency, sound level, dimensions, electrical supply, and minimum operating temperature. But the final result depends just as much on how this technology is integrated into the building.
That is where professional installation becomes so important.
At AirGreen, we apply this same approach to our ductless heat pump projects in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore: selecting the right unit, planning its location, organizing the piping, and delivering a finish that remains clean long after our technicians leave.